This Asian Grilled Chicken Drumsticks recipe is a great way to put a delicious twist on inexpensive chicken drumsticks this grilling season. I find the sweet and salty Asian chicken marinade adds incredible flavor as well as helping the chicken maintain moisture. The chicken drumsticks marinated in this are not just flavorful, but tender and juicy too!
The Asian chicken marinade recipe is also perfect for other cuts of chicken beside chicken legs, especially other dark meat cuts like boneless skinless chicken thighs. It's great on chicken wings, and yes you can use it on chicken breasts too!
These Asian Chicken Drumsticks are actually a melding of a simple soy sauce based Asian BBQ sauce and a technique I recently found to slash chicken skin to help marinade penetrate.
I stumble upon a recipe called Psycho Chicken... yup, they went there. The recipe wasn't what I was looking for, but I found the technique used in it, of slashing the chicken skin all over intriguing. This allows the marinate to absorb into the meat well, while the remaining skin helps lock in moisture (removing chicken skin can be a cumbersome task on some poultry cuts too). I moved on, but still had haunting visions of a hapless chicken getting the business from Norman Bates.
Not grilling weather? Make air fryer chicken drumsticks using the Asian marinade.
I served the chicken with Peanut Butter Noodles (a favorite of my daughter), but simple homemade fried rice would have been perfect with it.
Making Asian Drumsticks
The recipe makes 4 servings, but can easily be doubled or tripled when you have guests.
Ingredients
Here is everything you will need to make this delicious chicken, including the Asian chicken leg marinade.
- 1 ½ pounds chicken drumsticks approximate
Asian Chicken Marinade Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon light brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce or 1 tbs soy sauce & 1 tbs Ponzu sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
- 1 large garlic clove, minced ( 1 - 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic) Use 2 cloves garlic if you are a garlic lover.
Preparation
I put the drumsticks into a zippered storage bag with the Asian chicken marinade and tossed them to coat. The chicken was left to marinate for four hours.
Grill the drumsticks, over medium for 20-25 minutes, flipping over at the halfway point. Check the chicken legs with a meat thermometer, you want to reach an internal temperature of 170 degrees F.
For extra flavor: Cook the leftover marinade down a bit, then baste the chicken with it as it cooks.
Baked Chicken Drumsticks
To prepare the Asian drumsticks in the oven, preheat to 400 degrees F. Place the chicken in a single layer on a foil or parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes (temp reads 170 degrees at thickest part).
Air Fryer Directions
If you prefer air frying the chicken drumsticks, preheat your fryer to 390 degrees F and arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Serving
When serving sprinkle on some toasted sesame seeds or finely sliced green onions.
While the chicken legs have plenty of flavor as is, if you love to dunk try them with some BBQ sauce, hoisin sauce, katsu sauce or a hot sauce such as Sriracha sauce.
Storing
Leftover chicken legs can be stored in a airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. [source USDA]
These Asian Chicken Drumsticks are only slightly spicy and pair well with many other BBQ favorites.
- Serve some Classic Macaroni Salad along with the juicy drumsticks.
- A Creamy Pea Salad makes a nice contrast against the light sweetness of the Asian marinade on the chicken.
- Pineapple BBQ Pork Ribs are a great alternative protein when serving this chicken.
- Refreshing crisp Asian Cucumber salad is a great choice with these Asian Glazed chicken drumsticks.
- For a side dish with some crunch factor, Broccoli Salad with Bacon is a wonderful option.
- Sweet Chili Orange Grilled Pork Chops have a bit of Asian flair too, making them great plate mates at the cookout!
In the mood for a sandwich? Try my Asian Chicken Burger with Broccoli Slaw.
Asian Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken drumsticks approximate
Asian Chicken Marinade
- 2 tablespoon light brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce or 1 tbs soy sauce & 1 tbs Ponzu sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
- 1 large clove of garlic, minced ( 1 - 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic)
Instructions
- Whisk together ingredients for marinate.
- Cut a few slashes into the skin of each drumstick, it is OK if you go into the meat a little.
- Combine the marinate and drumsticks in zippered storage bag and marinate for about 4 hours.
- Preheat grill, then reduce to medium when you put drumsticks on (reserve the marinate).
- While drumsticks are cooking zap the marinate in the microwave for 1 ½ minutes, stir, then zap another minute if needed, just enough to thicken the marinate a little for basting.
- Turn the drumsticks after 10-12 minutes. Then turn and baste in about 10 more minutes. Check the chicken legs with a meat thermometer, you want to reach an internal temperature of 170 degrees F.
- Let glaze set (1-2 minutes), then turn & baste other side. Remove chicken when that glaze sets.
- When serving sprinkle with sesame seeds or sliced scallions if you like.
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
Robin that looks crazy good!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
I've tried something similar before but not with the curry powder -- sounds yummy!
Jenn- The Rebel Chick says
Must.have.this. Saved recipe and will definitely be trying this.
Elaina- @atimeout4mommy says
Thanks for the recipe! This is possibly dinner tomorrow!
Kathleen says
Those look so good I almost want to lick my screen.
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
Those look really, really good!
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
Your pictures make my mouth water!
Leilani says
Those look amazing! I must try it out!
Jenn says
Those crispy burned skin pieces are making my mouth water!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
Wow, these look really delicious! The mix of ingredients sounds interesting, I"m excited to try it!
Mellisa says
Those look amazing! Something my kids would definitely eat
nicole @nicky_olea says
Just when I think you couldn't possibly amaze me any more! WOW! That looks superb!
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
This recipe looks amazing. I definitely have to try it.
Stefani says
Your chicken is making me hungry! Looks delicious.
Jennifer @ The Quirky Momma says
I think my son would absolutely LOVE this!
Theresa says
Thise look so yummy.
Tricia Nightowlmama says
Mmmm this sounds delicious
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
These look so darn good!
Angela@AboutAMom says
This looks so delicious!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
Those look super tasty.
Donna says
Now that looks to die for! YUMMY!
Lolo says
WOW! Those look fantastic!
Nichol says
I am definitely going to be making this soon. They look so delicious with flavors I adore!
Colleen says
These look yummy and like something I can eat.
Jennifer says
mmmm completely mouth watering!